Born 28 October 1968 in Dakar, Senegal to a military father from the Franche-Comté and a mother from Lorraine, he was raised in Argelès-sur-Mer with his six younger brothers and one younger sister who all play or played rugby at different high levels. Two are or have been international rugby players: Thomas (who was also part of France's 1999 Rugby World Cup squad and is now coach of Dax) and Matthieu. The only girl of the family, Claire, was a semi-professional, winning a French Championship with Toulouges in 2005. The two younger twins, Pierre and Luc are also playing for l'Avenir Castanéen, a Fédérale 2 side (4th Division), as a centre and openside flanker respectively. Finally, François used to play for USA Perpignan, during the 1990s.

In 2010 Lièvremont coached France to win the 2010 Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam beating England 12–10.[4] The following year, however, pressure began to mount on him after Six Nation losses to England 17–9 and Italy 22–21 – the latter of which was the first time Italy had beaten France, and came after France had led by twelve points with twenty minutes remaining and the next week France beat Wales 28–9.[5] At the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he guided France to the final where they played New Zealand, losing 7 – 8 after a very well played game.[6] Lièvremont branded a section of his squad "spoilt brats" after he discovered some players went out to celebrate the semi-final win against Wales.[7] He also did not make an appearance for the after-match interview, sending his assistant instead. However, veteran back-rower Imanol Harinordoquy, who publicly criticized Lièvremont during the tournament for browbeating the team in the media,[8] indicated after the tournament that the team had rebelled against him after the pool stage, and had effectively managed themselves in the knockout rounds.[9]